Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GAY & LESBIAN PALM SPRINGS
Nicknamed 'Provincetown in the Desert' and 'Key West of the West,' Palm Springs is one
of America's great gay destinations.
parties, mixers and more during the Kraft Nabisco (ex-Dinah Shore) LPGA golf tourna-
biggest gay dance events. Show up in early November for
Palm Springs Pride
(
www.pspride.org
).
ACCOMMODATIONS
Most men's hotels are concentrated in the Warm Sands neighborhood, just southeast of
downtown Palm Springs, and are clothing-optional. Lesbian resorts (fewer in number) are
scattered throughout town. As with other lodging in the desert, rates fall steeply in sum-
mer (roughly mid-June to mid-September) and shoulder seasons.
Warm Sands Dr; r incl breakfast & lunch $250-400; ) With Indonesian teak and
bamboo furnishings, the Hacienda raises the bar for luxury gay men's lodging and has
genial innkeepers who are never intrusive but always available.
Rd; r incl breakfast from $195; ) Don't let the randy name fool you; this is a solid
midrange choice for gay men. It gets plenty of repeat customers for its 1950s shell and
variety of up-to-date rooms and suites (some have kitchens). The nightly social hour, pool
and hot tub encourage mingling.
598 Grenfall Rd; r incl breakfast $180-300; ) At the small gay-oriented Cen-
tury, designed by William Alexander in 1955, rooms are hued in cheerful orange and olive
and are furnished with plush bedding and pieces by Starck, Eames and Noguchi. Soak up
cocktails and serene mountain views from the minimalist pool deck.
Canyon Dr; r $155-195; ) This newly made-over, southwest-flavored compound
for lesbians has rooms and suites with kitchens; some even have kiva-style fireplaces.
Afternoon tapas and drinks are complimentary, as is continental breakfast.
Olancha; r incl breakfast $120-145; ) Palm Springs' original lesbian hotel counts
many regulars among its guests, thanks, in large part, to its super-friendly owner,
